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Medieval Russian Fortresses AD 862–1480

Author: Konstantin S Nossov

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-06-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1849080607

According to Russian legend, in the year AD 862 the Slav tribes of what is now European Russia invited a number of Scandinavian princes to rule over them. However, on the death of these princes, Prince Oleg seized Kiev and united the Northern and Southern Russian territories, building extensive fortifications to protect its borders. The rise of feudalism in the 11th century lead to the development of individual fortified sites and the extended border defenses fell into disrepair. Consequently, Mongol hordes poured over the border introducing the siege warfare techniques of the East, heavily influencing the fortification styles thereafter. Using a wealth of archeological evidence and first-hand sources, Konstantin Nossov charts the history of the medieval Russian fortress from its early beginnings until the 14th century, paying special attention to the development of one of the most iconic fortifications in the world: the Kremlin.

Medieval Russian Fortresses AD 862–1480

Author: Konstantin S Nossov

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-06-20

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 1780969864

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The Forts of Judaea 168 BC–AD 73

Author: Samuel Rocca

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2013-01-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 184908064X

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This book analyzes the fortifications of Hasmonaean and Herodian Judaea from the middle of the second century BC, when the Maccabees rebelled against their Seleucids overlords and established an independent state, until the end of the Jewish-Roman War in AD 73.

Japanese Castles AD 250–1540

Author: Stephen Turnbull

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-10-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1849080739

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Dr Stephen Turnbull is internationally recognised for his research into and writing on Japanese military history. Here he applies his scholarship to an account of the evolution of Japanese defensive architecture and engineering, from early earthworks through to wooden and earth castles and, finally, the emergence of the stone towers that are so characteristic of the samurai. He also plots the adaptation of Japanese castles to accommodate the introduction of firearms. With unpublished photographs from the author's private collection and full-colour artwork, including detailed cutaways, this is an essential guide to the fascinating development of Japanese castles.

Saracen Strongholds AD 630–1050

Author: David Nicolle

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1846038561

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The Islamic world drew upon a myriad of pre-existing styles of fortification, taking Romano-Byzantine, Indian and Chinese ideas to create a highly effective and sophisticated hybrid fortification that was both new and distinctive. This book examines early Saracen fortifications, covering their historical background, socio-political circumstances, and their role in protecting industry, trade and the frontiers of the Islamic world. From the mayyad 'castles in the desert' of Jordan and Syria to the 'Round City of Baghdad' and the great gates of Cairo, this book provides an insight into the majesty of the Saracen forts, illustrated with specially commissioned artwork and cutaways, together with photographs of period engravings and images of the sites today.

The Walls of Constantinople AD 324–1453

Author: Stephen Turnbull

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-08-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1782002502

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The walls of Constantinople are the greatest surviving example of European medieval military architecture in the world. They withstood numerous sieges until being finally overcome by the artillery of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453, and exist today as a time capsule of Byzantine and Medieval history. This book examines the main defensive system protecting the landward side of the city, which consisted of three parallel walls about 5 miles long. The walls defended the city against intruders, including Attila the Hun, before finally being breached by European knights during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and, ultimately, destroyed by Turkish artillery in 1453.

Chinese Walled Cities 221 BC– AD 1644

Author: Stephen Turnbull

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-10-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1846038928

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It has been said in China that a city without a wall would be as inconceivable as a house without a roof. Even the smallest village invariably had some form of defensive wall, while the Great Wall of China was an attempt to build a barrier along the most vulnerable border of the entire country. Yet the finest examples of walled communities were China's walled cities, whose defensive architecture surpassed anything along the Great Wall. This book traces the evolution of the walled city from the 3,000 year old remains of the beaten earth walls of the Shang dynasty to the huge stone fortifications of the Ming dynasty. Stephen Turnbull, expert military historian, reveals the defensive structures from all the major ancient Chinese cities, and discusses how they protected entire communities, and not just castle dwellers, with colour artwork reconstructions, maps and archive photographs.

The Great Wall of China 221 BC–AD 1644

Author: Stephen Turnbull

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-10-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1849080569

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The most famous example of fortification in the world, the Great Wall of China stretches for more than 6,000km across inhospitable terrain. Charting its development from its earliest origins in the 7th century BC through to the present day, this account reveals the true history of the wall, and explores the myths that surround it. Included are details of what it was like to live within the wall, how it was garrisoned and patrolled, and a discussion of how effective it was against attack. Through extensive examination of both ancient and modern sources, colour maps, artwork and photographs, this book illustrates why the wall is one of the great wonders of the world.

Fortresses of the Peninsular War 1808–14

Author: Ian Fletcher

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-07-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1849080119

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In the course of the Peninsular War, Wellington's army fought several hard battles and smaller actions, but it was the bloody sieges that troubled him more than anything else. Indeed, the performance of his army during the sieges was probably the most disappointing aspect of what was otherwise an extremely successful campaign. Taking 1808 as its starting point, this title deals with the fortress sieges that involved Wellington's Anglo?Portuguese army, and concentrates on four key sites in particular (Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Burgos and San Sebastián). All of these played a vital role in the war due to their strategically important positions. It documents both the sieges and the storming of the fortresses, as well as the general role of the fortresses in Spain and the impact they had on the thinking of the commanders and strategies of the armies involved.

Fortress Monasteries of the Himalayas

Author: Peter Harrison

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-08-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1849083975

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The spread of Buddism and Tibetan secular power throughout the Himalayas led to a distinctive style of fortifications not found anywhere else. This book looks at Himalayan fortifications, from their creation in the Middle Ages to their destruction and capture by the Chinese in the 20th century.